Pushcarts and Small Presses

I am absolutely delighted — and still a little stunned — to share some unexpected but very welcome news: my short story The Third Pint has been nominated for the Pushcart Prize 2025 by The Storms literary journal.

It was a dream to have the story published in a magazine I have long admired. I could scarcely believe it when Damien and Rhona selected me as their featured prose writer. To discover they believe in the piece strongly enough to put it forward for one of the most respected awards in independent publishing is something else entirely. I am utterly astounded and deeply moved by the nomination, and profoundly grateful for the faith, support, and kindness Damien and Rhona have shown me.

About the Story

Set on the day after his father’s funeral, The Third Pint follows a son who takes his place in his father’s old seat at the local pub. One by one, familiar faces come through the door — men who offer condolences the only way they know how: through half-remembered stories and drinks pressed into his hand. As the pints settle and the evening lengthens, the narrator begins to confront the legacy he has inherited.

The story explores male grief, the rituals of rural masculinity, the pull of addiction, and the complicated ties that bind fathers and sons. By night’s end, he realises, with a quiet and unsettling clarity, that he is his father’s son.

Why This Matters

Independent journals don’t just publish stories — they take chances. They champion voices, experiment with form, and shine a light on places and perspectives often overlooked by mainstream publishing. The Storms has done all of that and more. Their support of Irish and international writing is something I am deeply proud to be part of, and to have The Third Pint recognised by them is a genuine honour.

This nomination is also a reminder — in a world where literary success can feel as rare and unpredictable as lightning — that persistence matters. You keep writing. You keep submitting. You keep turning up at the desk long after common sense says you shouldn’t. And sometimes, just sometimes, the storm breaks your way.

Reading at the Dublin Small Press Fair

On that note, I had the pleasure of reading The Third Pint at the Dublin Small Press Fair this weekend. It was one of those rare rooms where the air feels charged — warm, open, full of people who genuinely love stories. Sharing a piece rooted so deeply in memory and legacy on the very weekend it was recognised felt like a perfect, almost fated alignment.

It was such an honour to be there representing The Storms, and a pleasure hearing readings from so many other Irish journals.

Gratitude

Huge thanks to Damien and Rhona of The Storms for believing in the piece, and to everyone who reads, shares, or talks about the work. Stories live longer in company.

My thanks also to the organisers of the Dublin Small Press Fair for creating such a vibrant, welcoming space for small presses and writers alike.

What’s Next

Plenty more writing news coming soon — competitions, submissions, launches, and the ongoing novel edits!

But for now, here’s to The Third Pint — and to the stories still brewing.